HONG KONG – The Office of The Ombudsman has made 40 major recommendations for improvement after a direct and comprehensive investigation into the government's regulation of occupational safety and health in Hong Kong’s construction industry.

The office recommended improvement in nine major areas, including the Labour Department's regulation of high-risk operations, inspections, enforcement and prosecution, monitoring of registered safety auditors and registered safety officers, the Buildings Department’s regulation of registered contractors as well as the Development Bureau’s monitoring of public works and contractors, use of innovation and technology, safety education and training, and publicity and promotion.

“This direct investigation operation is by far our largest and most comprehensive direct investigation operation in many years,” The Ombudsman, Jack Chan, said on Wednesday, announcing the completion of the direct investigation.

READ MORE: HK penalizes occupational safety and health offenses

The investigation followed fatal industrial accidents in the construction industry – from large-scale public works, housing development and building repairs to small-scale flat renovation works – in recent years, which gave rise to widespread public concern.

During the six-year period from 2018 to 2023, the construction industry recorded 108 fatal industrial accidents, accounting for more than 80 percent of fatal industrial accidents in all industries. Of the 108 accidents, 45 were related to renovation and repair works alone, accounting for a significant 42 percent of all fatal accidents in the industry, according to the investigation report.

During the investigation, the office’s investigators scrutinized over 90,000 pages of documents, including about 70 individual cases, and conducted multiple in-depth site visits of different types to examine the issue thoroughly and from different perspectives.

“All lives are priceless. Indeed, one life lost to an industrial accident is one too many. The problem must be dealt with seriously and vigorously,” said Chan.

While the current-term government's endeavors are highly commendable, heart-wrenching fatal industrial accidents still happen from time to time, he said, adding that the government must continue to step up its efforts to safeguard the safety of workers at every step of work.

ALSO READ: Sun: Reported HK workplace fatalities down in 2024, reversing trend

To enhance occupational safety, the office recommended exploring formulation of templates of inspection checklist for different types of high-risk operations. It also recommended a comprehensive review of the existing requirements for maintenance of inspection records and exploring the development of an electronic platform to upload the records to facilitate monitoring and random checking.

The office recommended reviewing the operational guidelines on in-depth surprise inspections.

Besides pursuing legislative amendment to enhance the statutory notification mechanism for construction works, it recommended a systemic analysis of prosecution work and the penalties once the new penalties for occupational safety and health (OSH)-related offenses have been in force for a period of time.

The Office of The Ombudsman also recommended relevant departments and organizations to set up a thematic website on OSH in the construction industry and stepping up publicity and education among property owners, their corporations, property management companies and residents.

READ MORE: Heightened monitoring urged to ensure workplace safety in HK

"To enhance OSH in the construction industry, the government is duty bound to carry out effective regulation,” Chan said, adding that other stakeholders, including contractors, workers, trade unions, safety personnel, and owners' corporations, property owners, residents and property management firms, all have a role to play.

The Labour Department, the Buildings Department and the Development Bureau have accepted all of its recommendations, said the office.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Labour Department said it is examining and studying the report in detail and will actively follow up on the relevant recommendations and strengthen the collaboration with the Development Bureau and the Buildings Department.

“The Labour Department will continue to adopt a three-pronged strategy, including inspection and enforcement, publicity and promotion as well as education and training, complemented by the application of technology, to actively promote and foster an OSH culture in the construction industry, enhance workers' OSH awareness and prevent accidents," said a spokesperson for the department.